OpenAI Editor, Research at OpenAI leads editorial work on research films, shaping narratives and guiding collaborators. This role involves hands-on editing and setting high standards for cinematic storytelling from concept through delivery.
Responsibilities
As Editor, Research, you will help define the editorial voice of OpenAI’s research films. You will personally edit films that introduce new models, demonstrate emerging capabilities, and tell the stories behind our research. You will lead the editorial approach across assigned projects, guide collaborators, and set a high standard for cinematic storytelling and craft.
Your influence will begin well before footage reaches the edit. Working alongside researchers, filmmakers, and production, design, and product partners, you will shape concepts, develop narratives, test ideas through prototypes, and help plan shoots and demonstrations with the finished film in mind. You will bring clarity, humanity, and emotional depth to complex, evolving subjects, finding compelling ways to show the research while preserving its meaning and technical accuracy.
This is a hands-on leadership role for an exceptional editor who makes the work—and the people around them—better. You will take responsibility for editorial execution from concept through delivery, provide clear creative direction and actionable feedback, mentor editors, and lead external collaborators. You will also strengthen shared workflows and practices that help the studio deliver ambitious work across formats, platforms, markets, and timelines.
Lead editorial work from concept through final delivery, personally editing research launch films, cinematic demonstrations, and stories about the people behind the work while directing the contributions of other editors on assigned projects. Take responsibility for narrative quality and continuity across development, production support, editing, finishing, and delivery.
Set editorial direction across assigned projects, translating creative goals into a clear approach and helping internal editors and external partners deliver cohesive, distinctive work. Bring exceptional judgment to story, structure, pacing, performance, music, sound, and the relationship between picture and graphics.
Shape stories from the beginning, partnering with filmmakers and researchers on concepts, treatments, scripts, interview questions, and demonstration coverage. Use rough cuts, story assemblies, and rapid prototypes to find the strongest narrative and inform what needs to be captured.
Lead editorial reviews, presenting work and explaining creative choices clearly. Synthesize feedback from researchers and creative partners into focused revisions that strengthen the film while preserving the accuracy of demonstrations and technical explanations.
Lead editors and editorial collaborators on assigned projects, setting clear expectations, delegating work, supporting onboarding, and providing actionable creative feedback. Mentor editors and assistant editors to strengthen their storytelling, technical skills, and independent judgment.
Partner with production to scope and deliver editorial work, assessing resource needs, estimating effort, setting realistic schedules, and recommending the right talent for each assignment. Brief and creatively lead external editorial partners, surface risks early, and help resolve competing priorities.
Guide work through finishing, collaborating with motion designers, sound designers, composers, colorists, and VFX artists to preserve the creative intent through final delivery.
Strengthen editorial workflows and uphold shared standards, including project setup, technical specifications, media organization, version control, review processes, secure asset handling, handoffs, archival, and delivery quality. Identify improvements through project experience and share effective practices with the team.
Own the editorial approach to adaptations of assigned work, guiding cutdowns, platform variations, and localized versions. Review work for narrative clarity, cultural context, and consistency of meaning, tone, and emotional impact.
